Marion Ann Johnson

Marion Ann Johnson (née Lubetski) was born June 19 ^th , 1939 on her grandmother’s farm in Plover, Wisconsin. After 81 years of near constant activity she passed away in her home on December 24 ^th , 2020.

On her family farm she grew up playing in the dirt and milking cows. When old enough, she washed dishes and served scratch-made country dinners in her grandmother’s tavern. This resulted in her love of the natural world but also country music, of which she knew approximately 97% of all songs broadcasted on any radio station in the last century. Her musical exuberance passed onto her family, who now are left knowing, by heart, enough songs to fill a used record store. She always loved to hear her grandchildren play their instruments no matter how scratchy and out of tune they were.

Grams passed on her enthusiasm for life’s colorful experiences to her children – all of whom share vivid memories of camping in Gram’s beloved Sierra Nevada Mountains. A family packed RV was her happy place where she could balance her love of motherhood and nature. Later, as travelling became less accessible; she explored the national parks through books and documentaries.

Grams was a connoisseur of life’s simple things:  she taught everyone to appreciate a sunny day, to revel in the fruits of your labor, and that chips which have folded over on themselves in the fryer, doubling the crunch, is an American delicacy. Without prejudice for luxury, Gram’s treasured good weather, a friend’s phone call, or a trip to the movies, if only for the smiles those moments shaped. She enjoyed the grandiose, exploring The Getty Center Museum and Petersen Automotive Museum, but she also found time to cheer on her ‘Boys in Blue’ at Dodger Stadium. Regardless the cultural significance or personal reflection gained from an outing with Grams, she always made sure the adventure finished with an ice cream cone or other treat on the car ride home. These memories her family shares teach that no experience is insignificant.

She is preceded in death by her mother Lorraine (otherwise known as GG), father Ed, sister Dorothy, brother Ronald, and son Dean.

She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Kermit, her brother David, her children Robert (Inna), Kimberly (Thomas), and Jodi (John), and her seven grandchildren, Seth, Rhyan, Ethan, Ian, Zoe, Amelia, and Sophia, all of whom wish they could get in one last game of Canasta or Uno with her.